CityBridge Institute
Applications open now for the class of 2026.
Fall more in love with Jesus. Get equipped for a lifetime of ministry.
Hands on Ministry Experience
The CityBridge Institute is a 10 month, hands-on ministry experience to set you up for a lifetime of faithfully loving Christ, learning his word, and leading others in ministry.
Focused Investment
The CityBridge Institute focuses on 4 main areas of spiritual development: head, heart, hands, and health.
Head: Go wide and deep through the entire biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation and understand how to articulate key core doctrines.
Heart: Fall more in love with Jesus by encountering his deep love for you.
Hands: Experience hands-on ownership of various aspects of ministry with mentorship, oversight, and feedback from staff directors.
Health: Learn to live life with others in a healthy community and church.
Rhythm of the Year
Weekly Rhythm: Each Tuesday you will be with us till mid-afternoon. This includes our staff prayer and meetings in the morning and Institute class time in the afternoon.
Yearly Rhythm: This program goes from August to May. The Fall semester focuses on the Old Testament. The Spring semester focuses on the New Testament. Both semesters work through biblical, theological, pastoral, leadership, and soul training.
Assignments: Expect roughly 10 hours of weekly assignments. This includes readings, podcasts, and engaging with biblical tools. At the end of each semester, participants will “stand & deliver” in a 1 hour oral exam.
Perks of the Program
100% Free: We see this program as an investment in you. Unlike many programs, the CityBridge Institute is completely free of charge.
Part-Time Job List: If needing a part-time job, you will have access to our internal job listing through our members.
Housing: We will work with you to try and connect you to a member of our body who will host you throughout your time in the Institute.
Earn Seminary Credit: If interested, you may be eligible to apply for seminary credit by completing this program.
Post Institute Job Networking: We will coach you and help you network as you look to find your next faithful step after the Institute.
Areas of Involvement
What People Are Saying
“What the Holy Spirit has been doing in me during the Institute is challenging to adequately explain in words. The 4 faceted approach of soul training, pastoral training, biblical training and doctrinal studies every week has been transformative in my understanding of God’s great love for us and has also exponentially grown my passion for the Lord. Life changing!” - Quentan Tobolka
“It has been such a blessing to be part of the CityBridge Institute. I have especially loved learning the grand narrative of the Old Testament. It has unlocked a richness to the rest of the Bible that I was missing! My view and trust in God has grown tremendously.” - Robyn White
“The Institute has been incredibly formative in how I study the Scriptures, care for my soul, and pastor the people the Lord has put in my life to care for. I think any follower of Christ would benefit from this program not just because of the material, but because of the community of other like-minded believers who are striving towards the same thing; looking more like Jesus.” - Clark Lanier
“Going into the Institute I was aware of all of the things that we would be learning and studying, however I did not realize how impacted my heart would be. I came in thinking that I would gain a lot of head knowledge and be able to know more about the Bible (which I do), but it is so much more than that. I have been stripped of the incorrect views that I had of our sweet God in heaven and have been taught what a proper view of him is. I have fallen in love with the Old Testament and all the truth that God has preserved for us. I am so grateful for this program. I am grateful for the wonderful teaching and shepherding of Derek Mathews, and all those who walk along side him to make this program possible. This program carries out the vision of a high call and safe place beautifully. We are required to be kept accountable for the work that we committed too, but it is also a safe place to come with our confusion and questions, and I could not be more grateful for that. I am walking away with such a deep love and affection for our Heavenly Father with a head knowledge of the Bible that backs up that love and solidifies my beliefs. JOIN THE INSTITUTE!!!!!!!!!” - Lauren Labenz